Flying machine



q ufiy 15 1924. 1,501,299

W. ARMSTRONG FLYING MACHINE Filed March 23, 1923 4 Sheets-sheet 1INVENTOR WILLIJYMHEMSTHUNE ATTORNEY W. ARMSTRONG FLYING MACHINE FiledMarch 23. 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 l 44 6'3 59 60 k p 6.9

15% I 6165 g Y 6o INVENTOR WILLIHMMSYFUAZG' wailwam ATTORNEY july 151924. 1,501,299

' W. ARMSTRONG FLYING MACHINE Filed March 23, 1923' 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 FINVENTOR WILLIHMAHMEI'HDNG ATTORNEY uiy l5 1924. 1,501,299

W. ARMSTRONG FLYING MACHINE Filed March 23. 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet 4INVENTOR E15- MLLLZMHHMSZHUJVG' AT ToRNEY mama My 15; m4. v

FFALFEF 1,5FLZ99 oseies.

.WILLIAM ARMSTRONG, 0F DBINKWA'I'EB, SASKATCHEWAN, CANADA.

FLYING -MACHINE.

Apblication filed March as, 1928. Serial No. 627,241

new and useful Improvements in Flying, Machines, of which the followingis specification.

This inventlon hasrelation tocertam new and useful improvements inflying machines of the character stated including rotary side planes ofthe helicopter type. j

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a flyingmachine of the character stated which will be constructed in such amanner as to be operated in varlous directions with all of the partsproperly balanced by simple adjustment of the framein which the planes,are mounted.

. Another object of the invention resides in 4 the provision of a flyingmachine of the character stated constructed in such a manner that theplanes will operate outwardly of the sides of the body and above thesame to properly balance the machine at all times.

The invention has for a further object the provision of a flying machineof the character set forth in which a common supporting rod is providedfor the body, the plane supporting frame and the lower frame structureof the machine.

A further object resides in the provision of a flying machine of thecharacter set forth including an especially constructed typeof rotaryplane which will be durable and highly efficient in use as well as lightin structure and composed of the minimum number of parts securelyconnected and arranged so as to provide a wide surface to be presentedto the air currents during operation of the machine.

A still further object resides in the provision of a flying machine ofthe characterset forth including a vertical rudder at the back of thebody for steering the machine downward travel of the machine,

and a horizontal rudder at the forward end of the body to control theupward apld t e straight or level course of the machine being gox ernedby friction clutches on the ends of the driving shaft-provided for theplanes. 9

With the foregoing and other objects in view as will appear as thedescription pro ceeds' the invention consists in the novel construction,combination and arrangement of cooperatingelements ashereinafter morethe accompanying drawings forming a part of the present application, andin which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the complete machine.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation with parts broken away for the sake ofclearness.

. stantlally onthe plane of line 6 6 of Fig.

4, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows. 1

Fig. 7 is a detail section of a portion of the main supporting rod andparts mounted thereon, substantially on, the plane of line 77 of Fig. 6,looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Fi 8 is an enlarged detail section substantlally'on the plane of line 88of Fig. 6, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Fig. 9 is-an enlarged detail fragmentary elevation of one of the planes,showing the construction of the same. a

Fig. 10 is a'detail section-substantiall on the plane of line 10.10ofFig. 9, 100 ing in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Fig. 11 is a detail section, substantially on the plane of line-1111 ofFig. 9, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows. Fig. 121i's anenlarged vertical section substantially on the plane of line 1212 ofFig. 2, looking in the'dire'ction indicated by the arrows.

of the plane specificallyset' forth, claimed and'shown in Fig. 13 is afragmentary detail section Fig. 12,'looking in the direction indicatedby the arrows.

Referring more in detail to the drawings in which similar referencecharacters designate corresponding parts throughout the several: views,15 designates the main supporting rod which has its opposite endsflattened and provided with central openings so as'to. form eyes-16through which are rotatably mounted the lower ends of the shafts 17 forthe rotary planes, as shown in Figs. land 2. Nuts 18 or other suitablemembers may be carried on the lower ex 1 substantially'on the plane ofline 13 13 of V tremities of the :plane shafts 17, below the I eyes 16to prevent upward movement of the plane shafts 17 and disengagement ofthe latter from the eyes 16. Bevel gears 19 are carried on the lowerportions of the plane shafts 17 prefera-bl above the eyes 16, as shownin Fig. 2 an mesh with driving 'bevel gears 20 carried on outer ends ofsleeves 21 which are rotatably mounted on the extended portions of themain supporting rod 15. The bevel gears 19 are preferably larger thanthe driving bevel gears 20, so as to reduce the speed of rotationimparted to the plane shafts 17. Sprocket wheels 22 are carried on theinner ends of the sleeves 21 and sprocket chains 23 are engaged aroundthe respective sprocket wheels 22 for imparting independent rotation tothe sleeves 21. The respective sprocket chains 23 are also engagedaround driving sprocket wheels 24 carried on opposite end portions ofthe engine shaft 25. This engine shaft 25 is rotatably mounted inopposite sides of the body 26 and extends through said sides. Suitableclutch members, not shown, are provided on opposite end portions of theengine shaft 25 to control rotation of the driving sprocket wheels 24with the engine shaft 25. The engine 27 is suitably located within thebody 26, so that the engine shaft 25 may extend through the sides of thebody 26, as stated. It will also be seen from the drawings that the body26 has a rounded bottom which is centrally mounted on the transverseopposed supporting channels 28 which are in turn mounted centrally onthe lower longitudinal members 29 of the base structure. These lowerlongitudinal members 29 are curved downwardly between the ends andconnected at their ends with the lower extremities of the inwardlyinclined corner members 30 of the base structure, as shown in Figs. 1and 2, thereby forming the lower corners 31 of the base structure. Thebase structure also includes lower transverse members 32 connecting theforward lower corners 31 and the rear lower corners 31, respectively, toprevent side spreading of the base. Forward and rear axles 33 aremounted beneath the base and connected therewith by shock absorbingsprings 34 located beneath the lower corners 31 of the base, as shownclearly in Fig. 2. The landing wheels are mounted on the oppositeextended ends of the forward and rear axles 33.

The upper ends of the inwardly inclined corner members 30 are connectedwith the corners of an upper rectangular frame 36, which is slightlyabove the main supporting rod 15, as shown clearly iniFig. 5. The body26 connects with the corners of the upper rectangular frame 36 by theinclined corner suspending frame members 37. Central side frame members38 also extend upwardly from the sides of the body 26 and have bearingmembers 35,) at their upper ends for co-operation with the correspondingbearing members 40 opposed thereto and connected by the clamping bolts41 or the like, to form complete bearings for the main supporting rod15. The bearing members 40 are carried on the lower ends of upstandingframe members 42 which connect with the central portions of archedlongitudinal frame members 43 which extend above the longitudinalmembers of the upper rectangular frame 36 and connect with the cornersof the upper rectangular frame 36 to brace and reinforce the latter. Atransverse up-per frame member 44 connects the upper or central portionsof the arched longitudinal frame members 43. This may be readily seen byreferring to Fig. 2. It may be stated at this time that the mainsupporting rod '15 is free to turn within the bearing members 39 and 40.

In order to reduce friction to the minimum, the ends of the sleeves 21have antifriction bearings 49 located between their end portions and themain supporting rod 15.

.-The special frame for supporting the tended. The converging upper andlower frame extension members 51 and 52 project from the corners of themain rectangular frames 50. The frame structure also includes an uppersupporting rod 53 parallel with and above the main supporting rod 15.This upper supporting rod 53 extends transversely through the upperportion of the main rectangular frames 50 and the free ends of the uppersupporting rod 53 are flattened and provided with central openings so asto form eyes 54 above the eyes 16 to accommodate the upper ends of theplane shafts 17 as will be readily understood by referring to Figs. 1 to4 inclusive. The converging upper frame extension members 51 extenddownwardly and connect with the upper supporting rod 53 near the ends ofthe latter. The converging lower frame extension members 52 extendupwardly and connect with the main supporting rod 15 near the ends ofthe latter. It will, therefore, be seen that converging upper frameextension members 51 and converging lower frame extension members 52serve to securely connect the main rectangular frames 50 with the rods53 and 15.

The main rectangular frames 50 are parallel and connected at theircorner portions by transverse frame connecting members 55. The mainrectangular frames 50 are slightly narrower at their upper ends than attheir tangular frames 50. The upper ends of the When the parts areproperly 'assembled, .the bearings 58 are located between the pairs of1,501.,eee

are mounted in the main rectan ular framesv 50 with their lower endsconnecting wlth the same near the lower corners of the main recupwardlyconverging bracing members 56 connect with the upper supporting rod 53and at this-point in each main rectangular frame 50 is provided adepending member 57 which has its lower end provided with a bearing 58for the main supporting rod 15.

bearings 39 and 40 and the inner ends of the sleeves 21. The bearings 58shouldbe rigid on the main supporting rod 15 to hold the mainrectangular frames and the'jparts carried thereby in proper positionwith re-' spect to the main supporting'rod 15 and the other partssuspended on said main supporting rod 15. In the structure of each mainrectangular frame 50 is also included a pair of reinforcing cross bars56' connecting the lower portion of the depending member 57 of the mainrectangular frame 50 with the upwardly converging bracing members 56, asclearly shown in Fig. 4.

The planes include radially extended blades 59 which increase in widthgradually towards their outer ends and are of substantially triangularform. These radially extended blades 59 are also tilted on one edge soas to overlap one another throughout their length. Each radiallyextended blade 59 is also secured at its narrow inner end to the upperportion of the plane shaft 1'] before being turned or tilted. Theradially extended blades 59 also slant downwardly from the plane shaft17, as shown in the drawings, particularly Figs. 2 and 3. A reinforcingand strengthening ring 60 is extended through the outer end portions ofthe radially extended blades 59, as shown in Fig. 3. The spokes 61 areemployed for strengthening the radially extended blades 59. Each pair ofspokes 61 are arranged in converging relation with the converged upperends extended through the radially extended blade 59 for whichthey areemployed and through a stirrup 62 carried on the reinforcing andstrengthening ring 60 at the transverse centre of the outer end -portionof the radially extended blade 59, as shown clearly in Figs. 9 and 10.The lower diverging ends of the pairs of spokes 61 are secured to thecollar 63 carried on the lowerportion of the plane shaft 17, immediatelyabove the bevel gear 19, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Each radiallyextended blade 59 includes a central longitudinal rib 64 on which thestirrup 62 is mounted, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10. Longitudinal sideribs 65 are also carried by each radially extended blade 59 andupstanding supporting and bracing rods &

' 66 are provided for connecting the radially I extended blades 59. Eachupstanding supporting andbracing rod 66 has its lower end mounted on thelongitudinal side rib 65 at the lower side of one radially extendedblade 59, while its upper end is connected with the under side of thelongitudinal side rib 65at the upper longitudinal edge of an adjacentand overlapping extended blade 59.

The otls'etcentral portions 67 of the upstanding supporting and bracingrods 66 are engaged around the reinforcing and strengthening ring-60 tobrace the upstanding supporting and bracing rods 66, and radiallyextended blades 59. Fhis structure assures propersupporting of theradially extended blades-59 without danger of injury to the latterduring operation of the machine.

A horizontalelevation rudder 68 is pivotally mounted on the forwardhorizontal bar .30 connecting the upper ends of the forward inwardlyinclined corner members 30 of the base structure, 'as shown in Fig. 1.Any suitable operating or controlling means,

not shown, may be provided for the horizontal elevation rudder 68. Avertical steering rudder 69 is pivotally mounted in; the rear side ofthe base structure, as also shown clearly in Fig. 1. It is further to be.understood that suitable operating or controlling means, not shown, maybe provided for the vertical steering rudder 69, as desired.-

Any suitable mechanism may be employed for tilting the planes by turningthe main supporting rod 15 in the bearing members 39 and 40. A preferredtype of mechanism for this purpose, however, is disclosed clearlly inFig. 12and includes for each side of the machine, a pair of parallelrods 71 pivotally connected at their upper ends to the collar 72 clampedupon the reinforcing cross bars 56, while the lower ends of the parallelrods 71 are pivotally connected with the oppositely directed arms 73 ofa bell crank member 74. This bell crank member 74 is pivotally mountedon a stud shaft 7 5 projecting inwardly from one side wall of the body26, slightly above the engine shaft'25.

through the elongated slots 79. The operating screw 81 for the bellcrank member 74 extends through the nut 7 8 and has oneend journaled-ina suitable support 82 carried for this purpose on the body side, whilean actuating wheel 83 is carried on the other end of the screw 81 andprovided with a suitable handle 84. This structure may be readily seenin both Figs- 12 and13 and it will be apparent that rotation of thescrew 81 will cause the nut 78 to travel longitudinally thereof andthereby operate the bell crank member 74 to tilt the planes in thedirection desired, according tothe direction of rotation of the screw81. WVhen movement of the bell crank member 74 and parts connectedtherewith as a result of operation of the screw 81 in either directionis indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 12. The operating screws 81 on thetwo sides of the machine should be operated together, in order to impartthe same tilting movement to the two planes on the opposite sides of themachine.

It is believed the complete construction and operation of the machinemay now be,

clearly understood from the foregoing paragraphs taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawings without further detailed description. Itmay be briefly stated, that the rotary planes may be operated at thedesired speeds of rotation and may at all times be under the control ofthe operator. These rotary planes may be employed to cause a straightrising or descending of the machine or to force a forward or rearwardmovement of the machine when tilted. Furthermore, the course of travelof the machine may be properly governed by proper operation of thehorizontal elevation rudder 68 at the front of the machine and thevertical steering rudder 69 at the rear of the machine. Operation of thescrews 81 will cause tilting of the rotary planes and all of the framework Within which they are mounted at the sides of the body 26. Thiswill permit the body 26 to be retained in horizontal position regardlessof the forward or rearward tilting of the rotary; planes andthesupporting frame work for the latter. The mounting of the landing wheels35 beneath the corners of the lowermost frame structure or base willpermit the machine to land or leave the ground without danger of injuryto the parts of the machine and the occupant or occupants thereof andwithout subjecting the machine structure to unnecessary strains andshocks. Furthermore, the machine may travel for some distance along thesurface on the landing wheels 35 without danger of any other parts ofthe machine striking the surface. Attention may also be directed to thefact that the rotary planes are located as close to the sides of themain rectangular frames 50 as practicable without interference with thesame and all of the parts of the machine are constructed and arranged soas to produce a compact, light and strong structure.

Vhile the preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed it isto be understood that minor changes in the details of construction,combination and arrangement of co-operating elements may be resorted towithin the scope of What is claimed without departing from the spirit ofthe invention.

What I claim as new is:

1. A flying machine including parallel main rectangular frames;connections between said parallel main rectangular frames; side framemembers extended outwardly from said parallel main rectangular frames;planes mounted in said side frame members; a main supporting rodextended through said parallel main rectangular frames and co-operatingwith said side frame members to support said planes; a body suspended onsaid main supporting rod between said parallel main rectangular frames;a lower frame depending from the suspending means for said body; landingwheels resiliently mounted beneath the last mentioned frame; sleevesrotatably mounted on said main supporting rod to either side of theparallel mam rectangular frames; driving connections between saidsleeves and said lanes; means within said body for operating saidsleeves; driving connections between the last mentioned means and saidsleeves; means for tilting the parallel main rectangular frames andparts carried thereby; operating means for the last mentioned meanscarried in said body.

2. A main rectangular frames; connections between said parallel mainrectangular frames; side frame members extended outwardly from saidparallel main rectangular frames; planes mounted in said side framemembers; a main supporting rod extended through said parallel mainrectangular frames and co-operating with said side frame members tosupport said planes; a body suspended on said main sup-porting rodbetween said parallel main rectangular frames; a lower frame dependingfrom the suspending means for said body; landing wheels resilientlymounted beneath the last mentioned frame; sleeves rotatably mounted onsaid main supporting rod to either. side of the parallel mainrectangular frames; driving connections between the said sleeves andsaid planes; means within said body for operating said sleeves; drivingconnections between the last mentioned means and said sleeves; a forwardhorizontal elevating rudder mounted in the lower frame structure forcontrolling the ascending and descending movement of the machine; and arear vertical steering rudder mounted in said depending frame structurefor steering the machine.

3. A flying machine including parallel main rectangular frames;connections between said parallel main rectangular frames; side framemembers extending outwardly from said parallel main rectangular frames;planes mounted in said side frame flying machine including parallel theparallel main rectangular frames; driving connections between saidsleeves and said planes; means Within said body for operating saidsleeves; driving connections between the last mentioned means and saidsleeves; means for tilting the parallel main rectangular frames andparts carried thereby; operating means for the last mentioned meanscarried in said body; a forward horizontal elevating rudder mounted inthe lower frame structure for controlling the ascending and descendingmovements of the machine; and a rear vertical steering rudder mounted insaid depending frame structure for steering the machine.

4. A flying machine including parallel main rectangular frames;connections between said parallel main rectangular frames; side framemembers extended outwardly from said parallel main rectangular frames;planes mounted in said side frame members, a main supporting rodextended through said parallel main rectangular frames and co-o-peratingwith said side frame members .to support said planes; abody suspended onsaid main supporting rod between said parallel main rectangular frames;a lower frame depending from the suspending means for said body; landingwheels resiliently mounted beneath the last mentioned frame; said bodyhaving a longitudinally curved bottom to prevent interference with theswinging movement of the main rectangular frames and parts connectedtherewith over the body; and transverse bracing members extended beneathsaid body and mounted on the lower frame structure to support and bracesaid body.

5. A flying machine including parallel main rectangulan'frames;connections between said parallel main rectangular frames; side framemembers extended outwardly from said parallel main rectangular frames;planes mounted in said side members; a main supporting rodextendedthrough said parallel main rectangular frames and co-operating with saidside frame members to support said planes;a body suspended on said mainsup-porting rod between said parallel main rectangular frames; a lowerframe depending from the suspending means forsaid body;land'-' ingwheels resiliently mounted beneathithe last mentioned frame; sleevesrotatably mounted on saidmain supporting rod to either side of theparallel main rectangular frames; drivin connections between saidsleeves and sai planes; means within said body for operatingsaidsleeves; driving connections between the last mentioned means andsaid sleeves; said body having a longitudinally curved bottom to prevent1nterference with the swinging movement of the main rectangular framesand parts connected therewith over the bodyand transverse bracingmembers exten ed beneath said body and mounted on the lower framestructure tosupport and brace said body.

6. A flying machine including parallel main rectangular frames;connections between said parallel main rectangular frames; side framemembers extended outwardly from said parallel main rectangular frames;planes mounted in said side frame members; a main supporting rodextended through said parallel main rectangular frames and co-operatingwith said side frame members to support said planes; a body suspended onsaid main supporting rod between said parallel main rectangular frames;a lower frame depending from the suspending means for said body; landingwheels resiliently mounted beneath the lastmentioned frame; means fortilting the parallel main rectangular frames and parts carried thereby;operating means for the last mentioned means carried in said body; a

said body having a longitudinally curved bottom to prevent interferencewith the swinging movement of the main rectangular frames and partsconnected therewith over the body; and transverse bracing membersextended beneath said body and mounted on the lower frame structure tosupport and brace said body.

7. A flying machine including parallel main rectangular frames;connections between said parallel main rectangular frames; side framemembers extended outwardly from said parallel main rectangular frames;planes mounted in said side frame members; a main supportin rod extendedthrough said parallel main rectangular frames and co-o'perating withsaid side frame members to support said planes; a body suspended on saidmain supporting rod between said parallel main rectangular frames; alower frame depending from the suspending means for said body; landingwheels resiliently mountedbeneath the last mentioned frame; sleevesrotatably mounted on said main supporting rod to either side of theparallel main rectangular frames; driving connections between saidsleeves and said planes; means withinsaidbody for operating said sleevesdriving connections between the last mentioned means andsaidsleeves;means for tilting the parallel main rectangular frames andpartscarried theref by; operatin means for the last mentionedframes;planes mounted in said side frame members; and a main supporting rodextended through said parallel main rectangular frames and co-operatingwith said side frame members to support said planes; a body suspended onsaid main supporting rod between said parallel main rectangular frames;a lower frame depending from the suspending means for said body; landingwheels resiliently mounted beneath the last mentioned frame; a forwardhorizontal elevating rudder mounted in the lower frame structure forcontrolling the ascending and descending movements of the machine; arear vertical steering rudder mounted in said depending frame structurefor steering the machine; said body having a longitudinal curved bottomto prevent interference with the swinging movement of the mainrectangular frames and parts connected therewith over the body; andtransverse bracing members extended, beneath said body and mounted onthe lower-frame structure to support and brace said body.

9. A flying machine including parallel main rectangular frames;connections between said parallel main rectangular frames; side framemembers extended outwardly from said parallel main rectangular frames;

planes mounted in said side frame members; a main supporting rodextended through said parallel main rectangular frames and eo-operatingwith said side frame members to support said planes; a body suspended onsaid main supporting rod between said parallel main rectangular frames;a lower frame depending from the suspending means for said body; landingwheels resiliently mounted beneath the last mentioned frame; sleevesrotatably mounted on said main supporting rod to either side of theparallel main rectangular frames; driving connections between saidsleeves and said planes; means within said body for op erating saidsleeves; driving connections between the last mentioned means and saidsleeves; a forward horizontal elevating rudder mounted in the lowerframe structure for controlling the ascending and descending movementsof the machine; a rear vertical steering rudder mounted in saiddepending frame structure for steering the machine; said body having alongitudinally curved bottom to prevent interference with the swingingmovement of the main rectangular frames and parts connected therewithover the body; and transverse bracing members extended to support andbrace said body.

10. A flying machine including parallel main rectangular frames;connections between said parallel main rectangular frames; side framemembers extended outwardly from said parallel main rectangular frames;planes mounted in said side frame members a main supporting rod extendedthrough said parallel main rectangular frames and co-operating with saidside frame members to support said planes; a body suspended on said mainsupporting rod between said parallel main rectangular frames; a lowerframe depending from the suspending means for said body; landing wheelsresiliently mounted beneath the last mentioned frame; means for tiltingthe parallel main rectair gular frames and parts carried thereby;operating means for the last mentioned means carried in said body; aforward horizontal elevating rudder mounted in the lower frame structurefor controlling the ascending and descending movements of the machine; arear vertical steering rudder mounted in said depending frame structurefor steering the machine; said body having a longitudinally curvedbottom to prevent interference with the swinging movement of the mainrectangular frames and parts connected therewith over the body; andtransverse bracing members extended beneath said body and mounted on thelower frame structure to support and brace said body.

11. A flying machine including parallel main rectangular frames;connections between said parallel main rectangular frames; side framemembers extended outwardly from said parallel main rectangular frames;planes mounted in said side frame members; a main supporting rodextended through said parallel main rectangular frames and co-operatingwith said side frame members to support said planes; a body suspended onsaid main supporting rod between said parallel main rectangularframes; alower frame depending from the suspending means for said body; landingwheels resiliently mounted beneath the last mentioned frame; sleevesrotatably mounted on said main supporting rod to either side of theparallel main rectangular frames; driving connections between saidsleeves and said planes; means within said body for operating saidsleeves; driving connections between the last mentioned means and saidsleeves; means for tilting the parallel main rectangular frames andparts carried thereby; operating means for the last mentioned meanscarried nally curved bottom to prevent interference with the swingingmovement of the main rectangular frames and parts connected therewithover the body; and transverse bracing members extended beneath said bodyand mounted on the lower frame structure to support and brace said body.

12. A flyingmachine includingvparallel main rectangular frames;connections between said parallel main rectangular frames; side framemembers extended outwardly from said parallel main rectangular frames;planes mounted in said side frame members; a mainsupporting rod extendedthrough said parallel main rectangular frames and co-operating with saidside frame members to support said planes; a body suspended on said mamsupporting rod between said parallel main rectangular frames; a lowerframe depending from the suspending means for said body; landing wheelsresiliently mountedbeneath the last mentioned frame; said planesincluding radial downwardly inclined blades having their main portionsturned on one edge to cause overlapping of said blades in spacedrelation; said blades being of substantially triangular. form and havinglongitudinal side ribs and central ribs; a ring for each 1 plane; saidring being extended through the outer portions of said blades; centralshafts for said planes;said central shafts being vertically positionedin the extended side frame members at the outer. ends of said mainsupporting rod; said central shaftsserving to support the blades of saidplanes; connections between said vring of each plane and the centralribs of the blades of said plane; means for connecting the overlappinglongitudinal edges of said blades; said last mentioned means beingmounted on said ring; and spokes for supporting said blades; said.spokes being arranged in pairs for each blade and connected at theirconverging upper ends with said ring at its connection with the blade.

. 13. A flying machine includingparallel main rectangular frames;connections be- .tween said parallel main rectangular frames; f saidframe members extended outwardly from said parallel main rectangularframes; planes mounted in said side frame members; a main supporting rodextended through said parallel main rectangular frames and co-operatmgwith said side frame members to support said planes; a body suspended onsaid main supporting rod between said parallel main rectangular frames;a lower frame depending from the suspending .portions turned on one edgeto cause overlapping of said blades in spaced relation; said bladesbeing of substantially triangular form and having longitudinal side ribsand central ribs; a ring for each plane; said ring being extendedthrough the outer portions of said blades; central shafts for saidplanes; said central shafts being vertically positioned in the extendedside frame members at the .outer ends of said (main supporting rod; saidcentral shafts serving to support the blades of said planes; connectionsbetween said ring of each plane and the central ribs of the blades ofsaid planes; means for connecting the overlapping longitudinal edges ofsaid blades; said last mentioned means-being mounted on said rin andspokes for supporting said blades; said spokes being arranged in pairsfor each blade and connected at their converging upper ends with saidring at its connection with the blade.

14. A flying machine including parallel main rectangular frames;connections between said parallel main rectangular frames; side framemembers extended outwardly from said parallel main rectangular frames;planes mounted in said side frame members; a main supporting rodextended through said parallel main rectangular frames and cooperatingwith said side frame members to support said planes; a body suspended onsaid main supporting rod between said parallelmain rectangular frames; alower frame depending from the suspending means for said body;landing'wheels resiliently mounted beneath the last mentioned frame;means for tilting the parallel main rectangular frames and parts carriedthereby; operating means for the last mentioned means carried in saidbody; said plane including radial downwardlyinclined blades having theirmainportions turned on one edge to cause overlapping of said blades inspaced relation; said blades being of substantially triangular form andhaving longitudinal side ribs and central ribs; a ring for each plane;said ring being extended through the outer portions of said blades;central shafts for said planes; said central shafts beingverticallypositioned in the extended side frame members at'the outerends of said main supporting rod; said central shafts serving to supportthe blades of said planes; connections between said ring of each planeand the central ribs of the blades of said lane; means for connectingthe overlapping Ongitudinal edges of said blades; said last mentionedmeans being mounted on said rin and spokes for supporting said blades;said spokes being arranged in pairs for each blade and connected attheir converging upper ends with said ring at its connection withmainrectangular frames; a lower frame depending from the suspending meansfor said body; landing wheels resiliently mounted beneath the lastmentioned frame; sleeves rotatably mounted on said main supporting rodto either side of the parallel main rectangular frames; drivingconnections be tween said sleeves and said planes;'means within saidbody for operating said sleeves;

driving connections between the last mentioned means and said sleeves;means for tilting the parallel main rectangular frames and parts carriedthereby; operating means for the last mentioned means carried in saidbody; said planes including radial downwardly inclined blades havingtheir main portions turned on one edge to cause overlapping of saidblades in spaced relation; said blades being of substantiall triangularform and having longitudina side ribs and central ribs; a ring for eachplane; said ring being extended through the outer portions of saidblades; central shafts for said planes; said central shafts beingvertically positioned in the extended side frame memers at the outerends of said main supporting rod; said central shafts serving to supportthe blades of said planes; connections etween said ring of each planeand the central ribs of the blades of said plane; means for connectingthe overlapping longitudinal edges of said blades; said last mentionedmeans being mounted on said ring; and spokes for supporting said blades;said spokes being arranged in pairs for each blade and connected attheir converging upper ends with said ring at its connection with theblade.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature.

' WILLIAM ARMSTRONG.

